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Strategies for Sustainable Packaging

Published - 2022-04-28 Business Management
sustainable packaging

In industrial settings, environmentally friendly initiatives are seen as a lifesaver. Going green used to be a trend reserved for high-end and forward-thinking businesses, but in today's world, sustainability is no longer just a nice to have; it has become a benchmark against which organisations are measured.

Today, many businesses are calling for more effective and collaborative long-term solutions. Choosing more eco-friendly or earth-friendly practices to survive and thrive in this one living world will go a long way toward minimising pollution and waste in our landfills and oceans. 

Sustainable packaging is defined as the procurement, development, and usage of packaging solutions with a low environmental impact. Sustainable packaging is environmentally benign and does not contribute to additional natural resource depletion. 

Some visible benefits of sustainable packaging are that it is helpful, safe, and healthy for individuals and communities throughout its existence, meets market performance and cost criteria, and renewable energy is used to obtain, manufacture, transport, and recycle the product.

Sustainable packaging optimises renewable or recycled resources as a source of energy as it is made with eco-friendly production methods and best practices. It Is also manufactured from healthy ingredients for the entire life cycle.

If we choose sustainable packaging, it will benefit us in terms of finance as well as it is constructed in a way that maximises the use of materials and energy.

Not only this, but the sustainable way of living will also take of the future of the environment on our planet as it can be successfully recovered and used in biological and industrial closed-loop systems.

Sustainable Packaging Advantages 

We've talked a lot about environmentally friendly packaging and the various tactics that go along with it, but what exactly can we get out of it- that's what we’re going to take a look at– 

1. Increase the number of customers who are loyal to your brand

Going green benefits the environment and allows you to earn customer loyalty and boost it while you're at it. Numerous studies have shown that when it comes to choosing who to do business with, customers prefer to do business with companies that have adopted a sustainable approach. It has now become not merely a high standard but also a must.

Furthermore, several studies have been conducted that demonstrate that consumers are willing to switch to environmentally friendly and sustainable techniques, making it all the more important to take the necessary steps. This isn't just word of mouth; according to a Nielsen analysis, sales of sustainable items have surged by over 20% in the United States.

2. Unite the storage 

Sustainable packaging aims to reduce the amount of packaging material used, resulting in a significant waste reduction. The goal of sustainable packaging has been met. Not only that, but sustainable packaging also helps you reduce the amount of storage you have in your space, which naturally frees up room for the rest of your belongings, lowering your storage costs.

3. The cost of shipping is lowered

Sustainable packaging has the apparent advantage of being available in extremely small packages, suggesting that packaging and transportation costs will be substantially cheaper than plastic packaging.

Strategies to follow for Sustainable Packaging

Let us now discuss more eco-friendly methods of sustainable packaging, strategies, and innovations that can go a long way in achieving our sustainable dream:-

  • Disseminate best practices for recycling and disposal

This step can be accomplished by informing our customers how to properly dispose of and recycle packaging once they receive their products. Now, educating people can be a difficult task. Still, we can print vital recycling information or processes on the packaging itself so that customers will know exactly how and what to do with their packaging. Also, because recycling processes differ from city to city, we as producers can use small yet appealing phrases on sustainable boxes and bottles so that attention will naturally be drawn to the slogan and our work will be completed.

  • Smaller packages are shipped

Reducing the damage caused by our bad waste management is no easy task. Still, we can always start with little efforts, such as using as little material as possible to pack your products in small boxes, containers, and bottles. This strategy makes your packing more environmentally friendly, but it also saves you money on shipping costs. With a sustainable way of life, it becomes a win-win situation. Reduce the size of your products by purchasing smaller packing supplies and using fewer filler materials.

Try adjusting their size and location to see if your products can fit into smaller packages. If possible, try adjusting the size and location of your products to see if they can fit into smaller packages. Suppose you're moving kitchen appliances and know they'll have to be disassembled later, for example. In that case, it's possible to do so in a sustainable way by putting the most compatible products together so they don't take up too much space. You will save space, but you will also save money on packing.

  • Materials for packaging that have been recycled

Recycling packaging is a fantastic way to extend the life of previously used materials. When selecting boxes, mailers, or containers, consider using packaging made from recycled materials. Packaging paperboard cardboard is one of the most commonly recycled materials. Paperboard is a lightweight, easy-to-cut, and shape material created from recyclable paper pulp, ideal for shipping boxes.

Other containers and mailers are made from already spent plastics, such as mono bags and bottles. Before being used as packaging materials, these polymers functioned nearly as recycling plants.

  • Packaging made from plants

Plant-based packaging is gaining traction among numerous enterprises and, as a result, among product packaging teams. These materials are manufactured from biological sources such as mushrooms and seaweed and maise and food waste, as the name implies.

The products you'll be packaging or transporting will decide the best plant-based packaging options. For example, if you're selling food, you'll want to ensure the material can protect it without affecting its flavour (bioplastics are a good solution). Use plant-based products like cornstarch and mushroom packaging to transport heavy items.

  •  Edible Packaging

Then there's edible packaging, which is nearly a cousin of plant-based packaging because they're from the same biological family, and it's manufactured in such a way that it's safe to eat. This packaging is called edible for a reason, and it could be an excellent choice for food chains, particularly Zomato and Swiggy. Edible packaging is a good choice for them because it can complement your already excellent meal. Overall, edible packaging serves two purposes: a delicious side dish to accompany the food and a convenient way to transport it.

  • Throughout the supply chain, avoid overpackaging

In the retail supply chain, packing materials are plentiful. Before reaching you, products are bagged, baled, or bundled, and additional packaging is frequently used. As a result, you must optimise how goods flow across the supply chain to reduce these resources — and the waste they generate. Improve your supply chain operations by working with your suppliers and vendors.

These are some ways where you can start: - Make sure you don't overproduce or overorder things by appropriately forecasting demand. Consolidate shipments to save money on packaging. Insist that your supply chain partners utilise environmentally friendly materials throughout the process.

  • Alternatives to plastic that are compostable and biodegradable

Sustainable ways like compostable packaging are made from materials that can be composted both at the workplace and the home. They're usually made of a plant-based polymer that decomposes in compost.

It is often wondered how long it will take to compost these packages completely. A commercial compost facility can break down these packages in 90 days, depending on the quality and contents, whereas residential compost conditions can take 180 days.

OUR TAKE

There are many ways to go green, but it ultimately depends on your business. Switching vendors who make eco-friendly products is a good place to start small, if not large. Sustainability will benefit not just your business but also this one and only living planet.

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